Mirror: Reds to complete defender deal

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Liverpool have made their seventh signing of an extravagant summer after completing a deal for rising Spanish star Javier Manquillo.

And an eighth capture will swiftly follow as the Reds inch closer to thrashing out an agreement over their chief defensive target of the summer, Sevilla's exciting left-back Alberto Moreno.

Boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed on Saturday he has put in place a two-year loan deal for Manquillo, who has represented Spain youth sides at every level up to U20.

But the agreement also offers the option of making the move permanent next summer, for a fee of around £5million and add-ons that have yet to be finalised.

Manquillo is regarded as a potential successor in the national side to Juanfran, who is his senior team-mate and keeps him out of the team at Atletico Madrid.

At just 20, Liverpool see him as a young right-back with potential who can provide back-up to Glen Johnson and offer competition for places as he develops.

But it is Moreno, 22, who has aroused the excitement of the fans, with the left-back now seen as the next in line for his country after impressing in his three full caps so far and so very nearly making the World Cup squad.

The Reds hope to complete the deal early this week, and will make an initial down-payment of around £12m for a player who was in Spain's initial party for Brazil, before being left out of the final cut.

If that brings Liverpool's summer signings to eight, after the captures of Rickie Lambert, Emre Can, Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic, Dejan Lovren, Divock Origi and Manquillo, then Rodgers hopes there will be one final flourish before he puts away his cheque book.